The use of food additives has a long history, along with the improvement of modern food processing technology and the development of the food industry, the research and development and use of food additives have also made great progress, which has played a positive role in promoting the development of the food industry. A few days ago, the "Chinese Consumer Food Additive Awareness Survey" initiated by Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center shows that Chinese consumers still have four major misunderstandings about food additives.

Misconception one

Long-term high intake of food additives is harmful to health?

According to this survey, 62% of consumers believe that "long-term high intake of food additives is harmful to health". Zhong Kai, director of the Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center, said that "long-term large amount" is actually layman's jargon, and experts who really understand food safety will not say so. For example, when evaluating the safety of food additives, it is necessary to fully consider the extreme cases of "lifelong, daily, and large intake", so the so-called "long-term large intake of harmful health" on the Internet is almost impossible. In addition, national standards are also "calculated in the general ledger" when stipulating the scope and amount of use of food additives, so the "superposition effect" that everyone is worried about is also covered.

Misconception two

Food additives of natural origin

Safer than synthesis?

According to this survey, 70% of consumers believe that "food additives of natural origin are safer than synthetic ones". Luo Yunbo, an academician of the International Academy of Food Sciences and a professor at Beijing Technology and Business University, said that this idea may be related to the widespread "chemophobia", but food additives of natural origin or synthetic are "chemicals" and are treated equally in management: the same methods and criteria are used to assess their safety. Therefore, approved food additives are equally safe, regardless of origin.

Misconception three

"0 add" "0 preservatives" is safer?

According to this survey, 66% of consumers believe that food with "0 additives" and "0 preservatives" is safer. Sun Baoguo, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, pointed out that "0 additions" and "0 preservatives" are typical panic marketing, taking advantage of consumers' concerns and distrust of food additives, which in turn further strengthens the perception that "food additives are harmful". In fact, "0 additions" and "0 preservatives" are not safer, and sometimes misleading to consumers, may form stigma and unfair competition for other products, and are not conducive to the benign development of the food industry.

Misconception four

Melamine, clenbuterol are food additives?

Melamine and clenbuterol are two typical illegal additives, but this survey shows that nearly 8% of consumers still mistake them for food additives. Chen Junshi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, pointed out that only food additives approved by the government are used, and illegal additives are used without approval. Food additives are demonized, in part because consumers confuse food additives with illegal additives. Although relevant government departments, professional circles and the food industry have done a lot of science around food additives, it is clear that there is still a long way to go. In addition, it is recommended that the professional community further strengthen the research on communication strategies, so that scientific knowledge and ideas can truly be "ears and minds". Text/Nguyen Quang Phuong

(Director of Science and Technology Communication Department, Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center)